Perennial contenders whether they belong to the Tri-Valley League or when they were part of the Twin Valley Conference, Line Mountain players past and present spent their football seasons chasing championships. So while the 2013 Eagles may not have their typical allotment of experienced players, second-year coach Rodney Knock isn’t about to overhaul his program’s objectives. And that’s to win titles. Below is their Countdown to Camp preview.
School Name: Line Mountain Eagles
Coach: Rodney Knock
Last Year: 8-3, 7-2 Tri-Valley
Last 5 Years: 44-15
Returning Starters: 4 on offense, 4 on defense
Key Players: FB-LB Cory Warford; G-LB Rayce Boyer; T-DT Kyle Lower; T-DE Elijah Zablosky; TE-DE Colton Gaw; RB-LB Hunter Hojnacki; C-DT Hunter Masser; QB-S Ryan Reed; G-LB Clint Riehl; T-DT Garrett Kieffer.
Offense Overview: Knock still has that wide-ranging array of calls and formations tucked away in the Mountain’s blue-and-gold playbook — and the second-year skipper is planning to use as much as he can — but a sizable number of the guys plugged into the Eagles’ attack are new. While the 230-pound Warford churned out 539 yards and scored six times on just 75 touches, new QB Reed, new RB Hojnacki and a flock of new receivers landed most of their looks in mop-up time or at the JV level. Fortunately, Knock has some mature beef grazing up front (Lower, Boyer and Zablosky) capable of uprooting opponents and creating space for road graters Warford and Hojnacki to reach second level. Plenty of power on hand, but Reed must adapt quickly.
Defense Overview: Searching for a bunch of experienced defensive players sporting Eagles gear? Try Knock’s coaching staff, which includes such former luminaries as Aaron Inch, Brian Martz and Bryce Martz. There’s a few veterans ready to unload on opposing ballcarriers, but not many beyond Warford, Boyer, Lower and Zablosky. Since that brawny quartet is part of the Mountain’s front seven — Boyer is the lightest of those four at 210, while Lower checks in at 315 — running the ball against the Eagles may be a formidable challenge. And if former pass-rushing specialist Inch can teach effectively — keep an eye on two-way end Gaw — the Birds will get plenty of push up front. If not, a new secondary will be tested by TVL passing games.
Biggest Games: September 13 vs. Juniata and September 20 at Williams Valley. Cannot fault Knock, the Mountain’s second-year pilot and one of its former quarterbacks, for wanting to know how his underclassmen-heavy outfit compares to several of the Tri-Valley League’s early favorites. Invaluable information.
More Line Mountain Eagles:2013 schedule | 2013 roster
BULLOCK'S CRYSTAL BALL: Since graduation sacked the Eagles following each of the past three seasons, Knock’s second roster features just four seniors as well as 18 juniors who didn’t experience much success at the JV level. And while a cloudy outlook would seem appropriate for those at the Lower End, those inside this highly successful program aren’t about to back down from any challenge. Since Mountain players spent the week prior to camp at Lycoming College — as they have for a number of years — those on-field exercises in Williamsport may prove to be a real benefit as preseason plays out. Same for the team bonding that had to take place. Might be a transition year for the Birds, but no one will look past these guys.
More:Complete Countdown to Camp coverage
Bullock on Twitter: @thebullp_n
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